Georeferencing and public policies for access to physical therapy in primary care in Parnaíba-PI

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Unified Health System (SUS) is a public policy built in a context of political, technological and social dimensions. Although much progress has been made in SUS, expanding access to physical therapy in primary care is still one of its major challenges. The spatial distribution of users can provide important information on public policies focused on primary health care. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the spatial distribution of SUS users seeking treatment at the School of Physical Therapy Service of the Federal University of Piauí (SEF-UFPI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a descriptive, quantitative and retrospective research. Patients with musculoskeletal complaints who sought physiotherapeutic treatment at the SEF-UFPI in the years 2010 to 2017 were mapped using spatial georeferencing. RESULTS: 1476 records were identified in 32 different neighborhoods. 63% of patients attended came from the seven nearest neighborhoods of SEF-UFPI. The majority (n=924) of the patients were female, with chronic lower limb pain complaints. Parnaíba’s city has approximately 155.000 inhabitants and only four physiotherapists registered as a NASF’s members. CONCLUSION: The high flow of patients who sought physiotherapeutic care came from areas covered by family health strategy. The lack of physical therapists on these teams indicate the urgent need for public policies reformulation to access physical rehabilitation in primary care.